Description
Juicy and flavorful spinach garlic meatballs made with a blend of ground beef and pork, stuffed with gooey mozzarella cheese, and baked in rich marinara sauce. Perfect comfort food for any night of the week.
Ingredients
- 8 ounces fresh baby spinach
- 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 1–2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 pound ground pork
- 2 ¼ cups bread crumbs
- 3–4 eggs
- Splash of milk
- 4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Mozzarella cheese, cut into small cubes
- 1 jar Rao’s marinara sauce
Instructions
- Heat 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add baby spinach and toss until coated. Cook until wilted.
- Add 3 cloves of finely chopped garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Remove the spinach and garlic mixture, chop finely, and let cool.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a large bowl, combine ground beef, ground pork, bread crumbs, eggs, splash of milk, 4 cloves finely chopped garlic, Parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, and cooled spinach mixture.
- Form small balls with the meat mixture. Insert a mozzarella cube into the center of each ball and seal the meat around it.
- Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Brown the meatballs on all sides until golden.
- Transfer browned meatballs to a baking dish. Pour marinara sauce over them.
- Bake in preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, until meatballs are cooked through.
- Serve hot with pasta or on their own.
Notes
- Use fresh mozzarella for a creamier center.
- Ensure the spinach is fully cooled before mixing with the meat to avoid overcooking the eggs.
- You can prepare the meatballs ahead and freeze them before baking.
- Serve with spaghetti or on a sub roll for a meatball sandwich.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2-3 meatballs
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 820mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
